Borja Jimenez is aware that all lights point to the Sports in the playoff to play in Riazor. That is why he has come out in the face of criticism since Linares, and other places in Spain, claiming that the blue and white club has been able to do little in the designation of venues. It also avoids the favorites tag by emphasizing that “we go with humility”.
critics: “We must make it very clear that Deportivo is not to blame for the playoff being played here. Neither Depor, nor its players, nor its fans. Last year it was played in Badajoz, it is not something we have chosen. all ways, It doesn’t matter where we would have played. Madrid, Murcia… or the Conchinchina. We would have been local forever. We would move 6,7,8 thousand people and we would feel equally protected. Because in that we are the best and there is no one close to us. They are different, they are from another category. We play here because the RFEF decides, I suppose that is where it is most convenient. We are not guilty of anything. The important thing is to be there, we would have played anywhere.”
Linares: “There is little that is new or that can surprise you in football. It is difficult to get out of some general frameworks. But Linares has a good handling of the ball, it brings together players inside and has skilled players on the outside like Carracedo or Copete. And it has a striker who has been scoring goals in the category all his life. They are a difficult rival, with good handling of the ball, but they can also run if they have to. Also aggressive when it comes to defending.”
favorites: “No one is going to give anything away. I understand the role that Linares wants to play, the vitola they want to put on. But we arrived with humility, knowing that playing a playoff and getting promoted is complicated. I don’t know if it’s bad or good to say it, but I don’t think we’re the favourites. In a single match and at this stage of the season… the 8 of us who remain have the same objective and we will all have the same pressure. We are very excited, that is how the players transmit it to me. Putting pressure on us wouldn’t help anything, but I don’t see them being pressured either.”
Plan: “Let’s take risks like we’ve done every week. I want to see Deportivo that we have seen throughout the year, the one of the last two months. That recognizable sports car. We have to know that it’s 90 minutes and we have to go for it from the beginning, that’s how I understand the game. It’s what we broadcast all year and there’s nothing to change.”